Disney's Cinderella

Kenneth Branagh's live action remake of the animated Disney classic is a technicolour marvel, starring English rose Lily James as the eponymous heroine.

Downton Abbey's Lily James as Cinderella

Disney's CinderellaDisney's CinderellaCaroline Halstead

Prepare for a generation of young girls to invest in shoe polish. Yes, Cinderella is the latest Disney classic to receive the 'live action' treatment, and, with the trailer earning over 4 million views in just 24 hours, it's safe to say that fairytale charm shows no sign of waning. In fact, this first peak promises something really rather special.

First of all there's the man at the helm: director Kenneth Branagh, who proved himself more than capable of handling big-budget fair with his bombastic superhero-hit Thor. He's stayed refreshingly immune to the Hollywood trend of 'dark and gritty' re-boots, aligning his Cinderella with the splendour and heart of the 1950's animation. Indeed, the trailer boasts a jewel bright, Tim Burton-meets-Botticelli aesthetic so luxuriant you want to touch the screen, and a cast so dazzling the slipper should feel threatened.

There's last year's Oscar winner, the indomitable Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother, who, kitted out like Marlene Dietrich, looks set to replace Cruella as the stylish face of sadism. Everyone's favourite fairy godmother is played by Helena Bonham Carter, who previously collaborated with Branagh as Ophelia to his Hamlet, and can be counted on to provide scene-stealing comic turns. To add glitter to sparkle, veterans like Stellan Skarsgard and Derek Jacobi adorn the distinguished supporting cast, in a lineup surely indebted to Branagh's prestige.

And what of our eponymous silver-slippered heroine? Enter rising star Lily James, whose presence as the English rose of Downton Abbey has quickly courted attention from across the pond, whose upcoming role in much-hyped adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies exhibits a remarkably quick succession through some of young Hollywood's most in demand roles.

Then there are the dresses. And the hair. And, oh, the shoe. It's no coincidence that renowned fashion photographer Annie Leibovitz was called upon to shoot the publicity stills (our verdict- pure romance!). Certainly the story's themes of unjust social repression and nightmarish domestic abuse cannot, and will not, be ignored. But neither does this adaptation look set to shy away from its girly appeal, and why should it disappoint its target audience? Branagh clearly appreciates them, and their post-Frozen world. Already, we've caught a glimpse of Cinderella's transformation sequence that surely recalls a certain glacial makeover. Plain rags? Let 'em go!

With a stellar cast, and lavish in its detail, Branagh's project will no doubt be the burst of technicolour it promises. Whether such ambitions reach as far as the plot, or whether Branagh's intent is to remain as close possible to the simplicity of the animated original, is yet to be established. Pumpkin chariots depart on 13th of March.

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Did you know?

The lead role was offered to Emma Watson but she declined. Saoirse Ronan, Alicia Vikander, and Gabriella Wilde were also considered to play Cinderella.

About the director

This is Branagh's first collaboration with Disney. When approaching the project with a deep understanding of the fairy tale's history, he said, 'It is impossible to think of Cinderella without thinking of Disney and the timeless images we've all grown up watching. And those classic moments are irresistible to a filmmaker.'

What members say

All your childhood disney indulgences in glorious technicolour. Lily James's waist is as tiny as they say, and lovers of Robb Stark in Game of Thrones Read more

Ali Godwin

A beautiful film! Don't expect to see any great darts of feminism - despite the directors protestations, but go instead for the glitter and love and the Read more